MATLOCK: A WATER STORY FOR THE FUTURE DROP-INS FROM 13TH APRIL

Severn Trent is hosting a week of community events in Matlock to unveil a major new £20m investment in the town – and to listen to feedback from residents.

The company is staging a series of drop-ins from 13th April when staff can talk through the proposals, answer questions, and hear what local people think.

The plans include a major upgrade for Matlock Sewage Treatment Works which will boost site capacity to serve future generations, plus improve the health of the River Derwent by cutting spills with the installation of a new storage tank, and reducing phosphates in the treatment process.

The work is already underway with a huge new bridge recently installed over the River Derwent to the Sewage Treatment Works.

Severn Trent’s Chris Toone, who lives in Matlock, was lead project manager on that scheme and said: “We worked really closely with town councillors on all the proposals to ensure we kept within the existing site, minimised disruption and helped protect the environment.”

Susanna Taylor, project manager for the Sewage Treatment Works upgrade, added: “Removing phosphates is a major part of the scheme, as it will have a positive impact on the quality of the River Derwent - hugely important to local people and Severn Trent.”

Other upgrades include boosting capacity across the site, including a new network storage tank designed to improve Matlock’s resilience during heavy rainfall and minimise the likelihood of spills.

Matlock Week will see events held at the Town Council’s Imperial Rooms, where visitors can also enjoy a free photography exhibition showcasing Matlock’s incredible water heritage. People can see the past, hear about the future and tell us what matter’s to them.

The town began as a tiny hamlet but grew into a major tourist destination in Victorian times, with nearby Matlock Bath becoming famous for its hydrotheraapy treatments, supplied from natural springs. Famous visitors included a future Queen Victorian and Lord Byron, with the poet dubbing the area ‘Little Switzerland’ because of surrounding limestone hills.

Dad-of-two Chris added: “I’ve lived in Matlock all my life, so know how important the River Derwent is for local people, including canoeists and local angling clubs.

“We’ve already held consultations with those groups but would welcome more feedback from all residents during Matlock Week – we know we haven’t always got it right here, but we are here to listen.”

Matlock Week:

• Monday 13th April, 1.30pm to 5.30pm: Community drop-in and Matlock heritage photo display at Derwent Room, Imperial Rooms.

• Tuesday 14th April, 10am to 1pm: Community drop-in and heritage photo display at Riber Room, Imperial Rooms.

• Wednesday 15th April, 9am to 3pm: Customer pop-up at Matlock Market, plus councillor session at Riber Room from 5pm to 7pm.

• Thursday 16th April, 4pm to 6.30pm: Local business engagement at Riber Room.

• Friday, 17th April, 9am to 12pm: Local business engagement at Riber Room